Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday ordered a review and amendment of the country's presidential election law, paving the way for the possibility of multi-candidate polls in September. "This morning I have asked the parliament and the Shura Council to amend Article 76 of the constitution, which deals with the election of the president, to discuss it and suggest the appropriate amendment to be in line with this stage of our nation's history,'' Mubarak said in a speech broadcast live on Egyptian television.

According to The AP, he said the amendment would be put to a general public referendum before the presidential polls, scheduled for September this year.

The Egyptian leader said his initiative came "out of my full conviction of the need to consolidate efforts for more freedom and democracy.''